I don't really know folders that well. We [our shop.. or any shop I have worked at] don't see many of them. Other parts of the world take them much more seriously. For that matter other parts of the world takes cycling in general more serious.

Folder do vary.. people have different requirements.. how often does one need to fold it.. how small does it need to be… how easy does it need to be to fold. Someone wanted to fly to Europe with a smaller package.. might have very different requirements that someone that commutes regularly and brings the bike into their office.. or onto a train.

Of the quality ones I have some experience with.. are the Bike Friday.. Alex Moultain.. hmm a friend has a full size bike that folds a bit. hmm I am not sure if it was a Ritchey?

glenn

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
Kahlil Gibran

We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw

I've got a variety of bike that I could take camping but I find that my folding bikes work out the best. I've got a Dahon Speed (8 speed) for me and my wife has a Downtube 8H with a 8 speed internal hub and belt drive instead of a chain. She likes the belt drive because it's clean! No worries about grease on her leg.

Compared to a "normal" bike they take a little getting used to. Slightly twitchy at first but you soon adjust. As far as folded size they are around 32" long, 20"wide and 25" tall. One would easily fit in the back of your CRV. Two might be a stretch. They weight about 28-30 lbs. I wouldn't want to carry them up a flight of stairs!!

We love them for use around the campground and going to the wash house. We put them in our vehicle when exploring new places. When the situation allows, we grab the bikes and go exploring. Wouldn't want to use them for a long ride, but for short and slow rides their great!

I have a Brompton and it's awesome. Great bikes, quite exy but worth it I believe. Fits behind the front seat of my car easily. Took it to the US, Europe and U.K. Recently. Used it very heavily and it didn't miss a beat. Great bikes. I got the 6 speed with the minus 12 percent gearing. Highly recommend if you are not put off by the price.

We had been wanting folding bikes for a couple of years, but the prices were really high. A few months ago, my neighbor let me know that some of their friends were selling theirs. Gave them a call and $50 later we had two, Dahon Mariner's. We both love these! They are probably from the early 90s, but were essentially never used. They fold up easily and the two of them pop right into the small well behind our minivan's 3rd row seat, with room to spare. I guess they weigh maybe 35# each. They are comfortable and easy to ride.

Thumbs up for folding bikes, IF you can find them cheap! I just would not consider them at $700 each plus.

I sold my fat tire electric bike for a folding electric bike from the same company (Sondors). It was $699 + $120 shipping and they just released these. It slips into my camper nicely and has plenty of power.

Some of us more advanced Seniors can use an electric boost so I have been looking for electric bikes.

The Rad Mini is an electric folding bike. It is more substantial than the Sondors folding bike but so is the price $1499. They ship free in US.There is some "put it together" but they offer links to guys who will do it for you... in some areas for a price.

My Sondors is plenty tough for me but maybe you mean the power is better on the rad. I wish I had a little more power but then again I couldn't afford anything more powerful so I am glad these are available. I think the Fold that I have looks stupid, (It looks like a folding bike LOL) I sold my awesome looking fat tire bike for this only because it folds so I can get it into my camper but I discovered a BMX handlebar conversion that I can do that makes the bike look totally awesome! I am going to do it this week. I won't be able to fold the handlebars down anymore but I never did to begin with, folding the body in half is all I need. Here's a pic of a bike with the conversion.

2bits wrote:My Sondors is plenty tough for me but maybe you mean the power is better on the rad. I wish I had a little more power but then again I couldn't afford anything more powerful so I am glad these are available..

I did not get to ride the bikes so I could not compare the power between the brands, I liked the look of the Rad Mini better. It is rated to carry my weight handily, very important. Mine is on order and should arrive this week some time. I had a standard size e-Moto electric that was hard to deal with if I stowed it in my trailer. I liked it until it died and then the web site and help dissappered. I was never able to find anyone who could fix it. The Rad is out of Seattle and I hope for much better support.